Kites fill sky with colour
Grey skies were filled with colour as kite flyers visited a country park for an annual festival. The Teston Kite Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary last weekend, with flyers from as far away as Dorset and Norfolk visiting Teston Bridge Country Park. Originally set up by park rangers to encourage kite flying in the park, the festival is now an incredibly popular event. The rangers organised it with the help of Ron and Pat Dell from Kiteability. Mr Dell continued to run the festival until 2010. He died in 2014, and a bench has been placed in the park in honour of his work, and one of his kites was flown as part of this year’s celebration. ing, members were entertained by Dean Caston who gave an interesting talk on the Victoria Palace Theatre in the West End, which has staged many famous musicals. There is no meeting in August but members have enjoyed afternoon tea at Tudor Park and spent a lovely time on a boat trip on the River Medway to the Malta Inn for lunch. The next meeting is September 14, and is a social function with games. Visitors are welcome. Meetings are held from 8pm-10pm on the second Thursday in each month (apart from August) at Madginford Hall, Egremont Road. For information call 01622 737500. Cricket club fixtures: After winning their last two fixtures, Bearsted CC 1st XI look to continue their climb up the table on Saturday with a trip to Linton Park, starting at 1pm. The 2nd XI play Eynsford at home, also starting at 1pm. On Sunday, the team host Pluckley, starting at 1.30pm. Charity cricket match: On Monday, August 28, there is the annual charity cricket match between Bearsted Cc and Bearsted Club. The charities are the Heart of Kent Hospice and the Kent Air Ambulance. Correspondent: Sue Whiteoak Tel: 01634 660097 Aylesford/Eccles WI: Meets at the Brassey Rooms, Station Road, Aylesford at 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 23. Cyril Baldwin will be talking about his auctioneering skills in Going, Going, Gone. Check out the Facebook page or ring Kay on 01622 718353 for information. Farmers’ market: Sunday, August 20 from 9am-1.30pm is the date of the next Aylesford Priory farmers’ market. Always popular and with a good selection of stalls to look around offering fresh, seasonal local food and goods. Check out their Facebook page or www. aylesfordfarmersmarket.co.uk Active retirement association: The over 55s who attend Aylesford ARA will meet on Thursday, August 24 at 2pm in the community centre, Aylesford, with the chance of making a profit at the annual bingo afternoon. There’s one free book for all, extra to purchase. Refreshments and the chance to sign up for the many other interesting activities, holidays, outings which the club Riverside Gallery: This month’s exhibition of local artists’ work ends on Monday August 21; so just a few more chances to view on Thursday, Saturday and Monday from 2-5pm. Yalding Art Group members Lynne, Debbie and Melanie have already sold work there. The next exhibition starts on Monday, August 28. More details next week. Over the bank holiday weekend there will be more opportunities to enjoy cream teas at the gallery on Saturday , Sunday and Monday. Book your table to avoid disappointment at the gallery or post office, or call 01622 814327. Neighbourhood Watch: Collier Street has a successful Neighbourhood Watch scheme involving 80 residents. If you live within the parish and would like to be part of the scheme, so receiving notification of any suspicious activity or crime in the area, then email Barbara Grandi at barbaragrandi@aol.com Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 Hearing aid clinic: HiKent will be holding its next hearing aid clinic on Friday August 25 from Correspondent: Nicola Greenaway Tel: 01732 844749 Soft play: Little Wiggles soft play is coming back to Ditton. Try the soft play sessions (under fours only) on Saturday, August 19 in the Don Carman Hall at the community centre from 10amnoon. The cost is £3 walkers and £1.50 non-walkers. Email: littlewigglesplay@gmail.com for information. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 Grapevine: If you have anything you would like included in the next issue of Grapevine, let wendy.lynes@hotmail.co.uk by Friday, August 18. Available premises: There is no regular booking at the Old School Hall on Wednesday evenings so if you need a venue for your class or other group, contact Mandy on 07703 525138, Gary on 07985 377585 or email to amandashoward@ hotmail.com Ride and Stride: So far, there have been no takers for the Ride and Stride on Saturday, September 9. If you are interested in taking